Flexible sign



(No Model.)

H. P. PEISTER.

FLEXIBLE SIGN.

No. 352,684. Patented Nov. 16, 1886.

Xnvanror N. PETERS. l'hblo-liihomphel, Wishinginn. DC.

4o locked in any suitable manner to prevent un- NITED STATES PATENT Prion...

FLEXIBLE SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,684, dated November 16, 1886. Application filed June 26, 1886. Serial No. 206,833. (N 0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY P. FEISTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Flexible Signs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to flexible signs; and it consists in certain improvements, all of which is fully set forth in the followingspecification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

Heretofore flexible signs of the nature hereinafter set forth have been made with certain devices by which they may be caused to assume convex shape or allowed to remain flat. In some instances this resulthas been attained by means of links secured at one end to the sides of the sign and having their other ends adapted to be coupled together. When uncoupled, the sign is flat and in asuitable condition for shipment, but may be curved by connecting the links, in which case it is in condi-- tion for use. Another method of causing'the sign to assume the curved condition has been to use drawing or lacing cords, by which the sign is hung and in which the weight of the sign acts to maintain the curvature. These constructions are more or less defective, for while they enable the sign to be curved there is no means of adjusting the amount of'this curvaturea feature of great importance in a sign of this class.

In carrying out my invention I provide a flexible sheet sign, with wires or cords attached at their extremities to the two sides of the sign, and attach the said cords at their middle or inner ends to a vertical rod or roller, which, upon being turned, rolls up the said curving cords or wires, causing the sign to assume the curved or convex form. The roller may be winding of the said cords, and the upper part thereof may be provided with an eye or ring wherewith to support the sign.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable and effective means for curving the sign to any degree'desired, whereby it may be conveniently attached to posts, pillars, corners, 850., and'have the best curvature for the particular location and exhibition.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a. rear elevation of the sign in condition for being hung, and Fig. 2 is a cross-section of same online 00 w.

A is the metallic sign-plate, upon the face of which the sign is painted, printed, or otherwise impressed. This plate A is formed of sheet-iron or any suitable flexible materialsuch,forinstance, as waterproof paper or cardboard.

D are wires or cords extending across the back of the sign, preferably at two places thereof, and are united to the sides of the sign at d. A

B is a tension rod or roller, through which the tension wires or cords D pass by holes E, and upon twisting or turning the said rod or rollers the wires or cords D become wound thereon, as indicated in the drawings, causing the two side edges of the sign-plate to approach each other, and inducing the said plate'to assu me acurved form, as indicated in Fig. 2.. To prevent the roller or rod B from unwinding, I provide suitable locking devices, one form of which is shown in solid lines and two other forms of which are indicated in dotted lines.

F are U-shaped locking-wires, which preferably pass through holesf in the roller or rod B, and have their ends bent so as to catchupon the opposite sides of the cords or wires D, and thereby lock the said roller from revolving. As shown, these locksaretwo in number and placed to act upon each of the wires or cords D. In place of this form of look a simple cord or wire, G, may be used, one end of which is attached to the sign above the tension cord or wire D, and the other end of which is tied to an eye, 0, in the roller below the tension-cord, as indicated in dotted lines; or in place of this a cord or wire may betied to the roller at top and bottom, so that any attempt thereon torotate will cause the said locking cords or wires to press against the cross or tension wires.

I do not limit myself to any particular form of locking device, as. it may be modified in various ways without departing from my invention, the essential feature of which is a vertical 'roller or rod upon whichto wind up the tension cords or wires to induce the curvature of the sign.

The upper part of the rod or roller B is preferably formed withan eye, 0, whereby to hang the sign. It is evident that if the said eye of alone will act in a measure asalock. In place of making the tension cords or wires D extend entirely across the back of the sign-plate, they may be made in sections and united to the rod or roller in the center, the particular method of their attachment to the roller being immaterial to my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a flexible sign, of two or more tension cords, bands, or wires secured to the sign, and a roller or rod arranged at the back of the sign and secured to said cords,

bands, or wires, whereby upon rotating the roller or rod the cords, bands, or wires are wound up and draw in the sides of the sign, causing it to assume a convex or curved form, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with a flexible sign, of two or more tension cords, bands, or wires secured to the sign, a roller or rod arranged at theback of the sign and secured to said cords, bands, or wires, whereby upon rotating the roller or rod the cords, bands, or wires are wound up and draw in the sides of the sign, causingit to assume a convex or curved form, and a suitablelocking device to prevent the roller 0r rod from unwinding after the sign has been curved, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, with aflexible sign, of two or more tension cords, bands, or wires secured to the sign, a roller or rod provided with a supporting eye or loop and arranged at the .back or" the sign and secured to said cords,

bands, or wires, whereby upon rotating the roller or rod the cords, bands, or wires are wound up and draw in the sides of the sign, causing it to assume aconvex or curved form, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, with a flexible sign, of two or more tension cords, bands, or wires secured to the sign, a roller or rod provided with a supporting eye or loop and arranged at the back of the sign and secured to said cords, bands, or Wires, whereby upon rotating the roller or rod the cords, bands, or wires are wound up and draw in the sides of the sign, causing it to assume a convex or.curved form, and a suitable locking device to prevent the roller or rod from unwinding after the sign has been curved, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunt set my hand.

HENRY P. FEISTER.

Witnesses:

JAs. H. STEVENSON, R. M. HUNTER. 

